News

No action taken against Sharks defenseman Brad Stuart

By David Pollak dpollak@mercurynews.com

Posted:
01/27/2013 09:08:56 AM PST

Updated:
01/27/2013 11:45:50 AM PST

SAN JOSE -- The NHL isn't taking any action against Sharks defenseman Brad Stuart for his jarring hit on Colorado Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog in the first period of Saturday's 4-0 San Jose victory.

"I haven't heard anything from anybody and I assume that's the way it will remain," Stuart said Sunday morning after the team held meetings in advance of its game against the Vancouver Canucks. "At the time I thought it was a good hit. Saw it a couple times last night and I still thought that."

Stuart's hit at 15:35 of the first period was the turning point of San Jose's 4-0 victory Saturday afternoon. And while the Sharks were confident it was a clean hit, Colorado coach Joe Sacco complained that it targeted the head, all but inviting the NHL to review the play.

No penalty was called at the time, and when Colorado defenseman Ryan O'Byrne went after Stuart, the Sharks ended up with a four-minute power play, during which Patrick Marleau scored twice.

Stuart said it was good to be able to have a positive impact on a game early in his second go-round with the Sharks.

"To do something like that at home was nice," he said. "The team responded well, the power play has been clicking for us so that was huge."